Illinois needs Pritzker’s BUILD Plan for housing

By LyLena Estabine

04/23/2026

The state should follow others by passing reforms that would make building housing easier and cheaper.

Pritzker proposes at least $250 million for affordable housing

By Josh Bandoch

03/05/2026

The money would be spread across several programs meant to create more units.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois boosts universities losing students, punishes gainers

By Patrick Andriesen

03/05/2026

Illinois’ public universities have lost 13,062 students during the past 20 years, but three gained. They lost state funding while the losers got more money.

Pritzker proposes reducing burdensome housing regulations

By Josh Bandoch

03/03/2026

The state needs to add 227,000 homes by 2030 to meet demand

TAGS: JB Pritzker

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

By Bryce Hill

01/27/2026

Illinois’ population grew by 16,108 in 2025 thanks to an influx of people migrating from other countries. But Illinoisans moving away offset most of that gain.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Census: 95% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

By Bryce Hill

01/22/2026

U.S. Census estimates showed Illinois lost residents to 32 states and Washington, D.C. – virtually all to lower-tax states.

TAGS: outmigration, taxes

Waste watch: Illinois’ porky budget gives $7M to move pigs

By Geoff Feinstein

12/31/2025

Illinois’ hidden budgeting process let lawmakers hand out 2,815 grants, including $7 million to move the University of Illinois’ pigs.

TAGS: budget, taxes

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

Illinois ranked No. 1 for spending per student on higher education in 2024, paying more than double the national average. Declining enrollment, poorly structured finances, growing pension payments and bloated administration have driven up costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Batinick: Enrollment falls across Illinois universities, but prices keep climbing

By Mark Batinick

05/28/2025

Illinois’ university system is losing students to other states as prices per student top the nation. The system and its funding need an overhaul, but state leaders instead are considering letting community colleges create even more competition.

TAGS: higher education

Nearly all Illinois communities smaller since 2020; Chicago loses nearly 30K

By Bryce Hill

05/15/2025

Since 2020, 84% of Illinois communities have lost population. Small towns were hit hardest by population declines in 2024, while Chicago’s migrant crisis helped offset people choosing to leave.

TAGS: outmigration, population

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Illinois needs Pritzker’s BUILD Plan for housing

Pritzker proposes at least $250 million for affordable housing

Illinois boosts universities losing students, punishes gainers

Pritzker proposes reducing burdensome housing regulations

44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year

Census: 95% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

Waste watch: Illinois’ porky budget gives $7M to move pigs

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

Batinick: Enrollment falls across Illinois universities, but prices keep climbing

Nearly all Illinois communities smaller since 2020; Chicago loses nearly 30K

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students